Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-15
A Romance Of the Met
ropolis.
Founded upon Notes from til,
Diary of Inspector byrnes.
By Julian Hawthorne, Author of "Gath,
ETC., etc,
(Copyriphted 1887 by o. NJ. Dunham.)
Continued from last Monday
CHATTER VIII.

public or private could boast of attracting;
and vet he was-or at all events he appeared
to be totally unconscious of it. lie pur-
sued the tenor of his way with degree of
indifference to possible shadows which,
if genuine and if he were indeed rogue
was inexplicable and if assumed was mar
yelous piece of acting. But whether 1t was
assumed or genuine was question which
the most expert could not determine. One
day one opinion would prevail, and the next
day something would come to light which
shifted the weight of probability to the
other side. The only thing that seemed
to be certain was that Mr.. Smith was a
very unique and extraordinary parsonage
The next evening after the detectives
were put on his track Mr. Smith left his
house at about 9 O'Clock, dressed in long
dark overcoat and soft hat, the brim of
which he wore pulled down over his fore
head. His amethyst ring was concealed by
the russell gloves he wore, and he carried
a stout cane in his hand. He walked
briskly down the avenue as far as Twenty
fifth street then crossed Union square i'll a
diagonal direction as far as Madison ave
me and took an eastward bound crosS-town
car as far as the Belt Line road. Here he
entered another car, and rode southwark
to the vicinity of Corlear's Hook.
Aighting once more he traversed several
narrow and dimly lighted streets, and at
length reached small and dingy looking
liouor saloon into which he went with the
air of a man familiar with his surroundings.
He nodded to the artender, exchanged a
few words with him, and then, passing into
the back part of the saloon sat down at Il
small table in the corner and was served
with glass of brandy and water
This was a strange place for the wealthy
and well-connected Mr. Smith to be in. 1t
was known as n resort for desperate thieves
and outlaws, and few respectable people
would have ventured to go there even IN
broad daylight, not to speak of 10 o clock
at night. And yet there sat the millionaire
at his ease, slipping his brandy and smok-
ing a short brierwood pipe Il at he had pro
duced from the pocket of his overcoat He
had pushed his hat back from his forehead,
and his countenance bore an expression of
peace al contentment.
The two shadows who had tracked him to
this den took counsel together. The win
dow of the saloon was screened by dirty
green shade drawn down over it; the door
was paneled in the upper part with ground
glass but a fragment of the glass had
been knocked out, and through the apert-
ure the interior of the saloon could be seen.
But it was impossible, without danger OF
being discovered to get near enough to hear
what was said inside; while to enter would
have been sure to excite suspicion, inasnuch
as the two detectives, who had not antlcl-
pated being led to so unciviliZed spot, had
not provided themselves with such attire as
would enable them to pass there without
remark. The only thing to be DONE there
fore, was to keep watch outside and be
guided by circumstances and their own
Judgment
When Mr.. Smith entered the saloon, he
was the only customer present; but in the
course of 10 or - minutes a tall, rough
looking fellow, with a greasy cap pulled
down to his nose and 10 days growth OF
black beard on his face came stumbling VI
to the door, pushed it open, and, on seeing
Mr. Smith, exchanged a sign of recognition
with him and went and sat beside him. Mr..
Smith then apparently gave an order to the
bartender, who brought a glass of liquor
and put it in front of the newcomer. The
two men then fell into conversation, Mr.
Smith evidently asking questions to which
the other replied at some length In the
midst of the dialogue four other men turned
the detectives recognized the two of then
as desperate characters, who had been i'm
picated in several river thefts, They all
seated themselves round the table and join
ed in the talk, which was carried on earnest
ly, but in low tones.
This singular and suspicious group of per
sons remained in CONTEMPLATION for perhap.
half an hour when they all rose and flee
out of the door, Mr.. Smith delaying behinC
a moment to settle the score AS they stood
in front of the entrance the detectives who
had withdrawn behind a piece of rotter
boarding that faced the saloon, overheard
one of the men say to Mr.. Smith; "Ther,
won't be no trouble about that. If they'll
sta where they be till they re found they
rotr' To this Mr.. Smith made some an
swer which was inaudible; the first mai
laughed and another said: Just as YOU
like, boss and if | was fixed that way neither
would ;" With this they all moved down
the street toward the river, the detectives
following as closely as they could. On reach
ing the river the gang went southwark along
the wharves until they came to the bottom o
one of the piers, where wagon was stand
ing with one wheel broken amidst half
dozen empty barrels and other rubbish. Ii
the darkness behind the wagon the mel
disappeared, but there was "A sound as OF
feet striking on the bottom of boat and I
getting out of oars. The next moment the
boat itself glided out from the wharf and
headed down the river.
The detectives were nonplussed; thei
man had escaped them just when the plo
was beginning to thicken. They had n
means of pursuing him, and their onl
chance was to keep along the bulkheads il
the hope of meeting him and his companion
when they landed. But as they were stumh
ling over the rubbish on the pier they sud
denly became aware of "A tall, dark figur
advancing toward them. As it drew nea
they were astOnished to recognize no less
person than Mr. Smith.
He started on seeing them and paused fo
moment as if in doubt; then he advance
passing on the upper side of the pier an
turning northward. At that moment tn
Jingle of "A horse car was heard approachin
in the distance, on its way up town. Antic
pating that Mr.. Smith might take the can
the detectives went back to meet it an
mounted ON the front platform. In due tim
they came up with their man standing b
Ia nl nd IA s,A,